Ergonomic tampon applicator

ABSTRACT

A tampon applicator barrel includes an insertion tip at a forward end of the barrel, a main body section that extends from the insertion tip, and a reverse taper section that is joined to the main body section so that the main body section is between the insertion tip and the reverse taper section. The main body section tapers toward the insertion tip section. The reverse taper section tapers in a direction away from the insertion tip section. A finger grip section extends from the reverse taper section to a plunger receiving end of the barrel opposite the forward end. The barrel is straight from the forward end to the plunger receiving end that receives a plunger.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.12/798,990, filed Apr. 15, 2010 (which issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,337,478), that is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.10/242,474, filed Sep. 12, 2002 (which is issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,727,208), the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to an improved tampon or tamponapplicator. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to atampon applicator with a barrel that has a reverse taper section forimproved ease of use and user comfort.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Commercial tampon applicators typically consist of a barrel and aplunger used to expel an absorbent pledget housed in the barrel. Thebarrel is typically sub-divided into three sections, namely a fingergrip, an insertion tip, and a main body section, which is locatedbetween the finger grip and insertion tip sections.

The finger grip section is typically the same diameter as the main bodysection of the barrel, but some designs (e.g., Playtex® Gentle Glide®)have a reduced diameter grip for improve grippability. The main bodysection is typically linear, except on plastic molded barrels wherethere is a slight taper to improve release characteristics from themanufacturing mold. The insertion tip section on some types of barrelshave “petals” which curve over and enclose the pledget (i.e., roundedtip) housed in the barrel, but readily flex outwardly as the pledget isexpelled through the insertion tip.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a tampon applicator that is ergonomic.

The present disclosure also provides such an ergonomic tampon applicatorwith a plunger and a barrel.

The present disclosure further provides such an ergonomic tamponapplicator barrel having a finger grip section, a reverse taper section,a main body section and an insertion tip section.

The present disclosure still further provides such an ergonomic tamponapplicator barrel reverse taper section where the reverse taper istowards the finger grip section.

The present disclosure also provides such an ergonomic tampon applicatorbarrel finger grip section having a finger accepting region.

The present disclosure further provides such an ergonomic tamponapplicator insertion tip section formed with a plurality of petals.

The present disclosure still further provides such an ergonomic tamponapplicator main body section with a maximum diameter section that issensually perceivable to a user to alert the user to the properinsertion depth of the applicator.

The present disclosure also provides such an ergonomic tampon applicatorhaving a plunger with at least one flared end.

These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will beappreciated from an ergonomically improved tampon applicator having aplunger and a barrel, of the present disclosure. The barrel has fourdistinct sections, namely a finger grip section, a reverse tapersection, a main body section, and an insertion tip section. The reversetaper section is tapered towards the fingergrip section, and the mainbody section is tapered in an opposite direction towards the insertiontip section. A maximum diameter is formed where the reverse tapersection and main body section meet on the barrel. The maximum diameterprovides a sensory indicator to the user to alert the user when theapplicator has been inserted to the proper depth in the vagina.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tampon applicator of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 1 depictingan absorbent pledget housed in the barrel; and

FIG. 3 is a cut away view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 2 after thepledget has been expelled from the barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown anergonomically improved tampon applicator according to the presentdisclosure generally represented by reference numeral 10. Theergonomically improved applicator 10 is easier to use and morecomfortable to insert and remove. Applicator 10 includes a plunger 12and a barrel 14.

Barrel 14 may be divided into four sections, as opposed to threesections typically found in prior art tampon applicators. The foursections include a finger grip section 16, a reverse taper section 18, amain body section 20, and an insertion tip section 22.

Finger grip section 16 is bound by a forward edge ridge 24 and arearward edge ridge 26. Forward edge ridge 24 provides a firm gripsurface during insertion of applicator 10 into the vaginal vault.Rearward edge ridge 26 provides a firm grip surface during expulsion ofthe pledget (not shown) and during removal of applicator 10 from thebody. Forward and rearward edge ridges 24, 26 are about 6 mm to about 22mm in diameter. Preferably, the forward and rearward edges 24, 26 areabout 11 mm to about 17 mm in diameter, with about 14 mm being the mostpreferred diameter.

A finger accepting region 28 is formed between forward edge ridge 24 andrearward edge ridge 26. To ensure an adequate area to accept a user'sfinger or fingers, forward edge ridge 24 and rearward edge ridge 26 arespaced about 13 mm to about 40 mm apart. More preferably, forward edgeridge 24 and rearward edge ridge 26 are spaced about 17 mm to about 21mm apart, with about 19 mm being the most preferred spacing. Fingeraccepting region 28 may be concave, convex, flat, or any combinationsthereof. Preferably, region 28 is concave, which conforms to the contourof a user's finger. The maximum diameter of region 28 is preferablyslightly less than the diameter of edge ridges 24, 26. Preferably,region 28 has a maximum to minimum diameter ratio of about 1.10 to about1.75, with a more preferred ratio of about 1.25 to about 1.35.

Finger accepting region 28 may also include one or more grippingstructures 46 to improve grippability of applicator 10. Suitablegripping structures 46 include, for example, one or more and preferablytwo or more, embossments, protuberances, slits, grooves, louvers,perforations, lances, abrasive medias, high wet coefficient of frictionmaterials, pressure sensitive adhesives, or any combinations thereof. Inaddition, gripping structures 46 may be formed in any shape, including,for example, arc, circle, concave, cone, convex, diamond, line, oval,polygon, rectangle, rib, square, triangle, or any combinations thereof.

The maximum diameter 34 of applicator barrel 14 occurs at the forwardend of reverse taper section 18. Reverse taper is meant to include ataper in the reverse direction, i.e. in a direction away from theinsertion end of applicator 10, but not necessarily the same dimensionaltaper as main body section 20. The diameter of reverse taper section 18tapers down toward forward edge ridge 24, where the diameter is equal toor slightly less than the diameter of forward edge ridge 24. This tapermay be linear or curvilinear.

Maximum diameter 34 of barrel 14 exerts a slightly greater pressure thanthe smaller diameter portions of the barrel on the vaginal opening. Thisunique feature of barrel 14 provides a sensually perceivable way ofsignaling or indicating to a user that applicator 10 has been insertedto the correct depth in the vagina. Thus, the location of maximumdiameter 34 along the length of barrel 14 is a critical aspect of thepresent disclosure. The location of maximum diameter 34 on barrel 14 isabout 32 mm to about 54 mm in the axial direction of barrel 14 fromforward end 36 of insertion tip 22. Preferably maximum diameter 34 islocated about 40 mm to about 50 mm, and more preferably about 44 mm inthe axial direction of barrel 14 from forward end 36 of insertion tip22.

Main body section 20 is joined to reverse taper section 18 where maximumdiameter 34 of barrel 14 is located. Main body section 20 tapers towardinsertion tip section 22 in either a linear or curvilinear fashion sothat its smallest diameter occurs where main body section 20 meetsinsertion tip section 22. The ratio of maximum diameter 34 to thediameter at the forward end 38 of main body section 20 is about 1.1 toabout 1.5, and more preferably about 1.2 to about 1.3. This tapering ofmain body section 20 facilitates insertion comfort by gradually partingthe vulva-vaginal channel over a longer length than that of onlyinsertion tip section 22.

Insertion tip section 22 begins where there is a substantial change inthe curvature of the forward portion of the barrel that is where thepledget-enclosing petals 40 are formed. In applicator designs where nopetals are used, insertion tip 22 is the forward edge of the main bodysection 20 of barrel 14. The preferred insertion tip 22 is the petaltype with a curvature that approximates an elliptical or hyperboliccurve. Preferably, insertion tip 22 has about 2 to about 12 petals, andmore preferably about 3 to about 8 petals. The ratio of the maximumdiameter of insertion tip section 22, which occurs at the plane whereits rearward edge meets forward end 38 of main body section 20, to thetotal axial length of the insertion tip section along a horizontal axisof applicator 10, is about 0.9 to about 1.8, and more preferably about1.1 to about 1.3.

The less severe curvature of insertion tip section 22 also facilitatesinsertion comfort by gradually parting the vulva-vaginal channel alongits longer length.

It should be understood that while tampon applicator barrel 14 of thepresent disclosure is depicted as having four sections, namely a fingergrip section, a reverse taper section, a main body section, and aninsertion tip section, the tampon applicator barrel can include areverse taper section and at least one additional section selected froma finger grip section, a main body section, an insertion tip section, orany combinations thereof.

The interior wall of barrel 14 that houses the pledget may have the samebasic sidewall shape as its exterior wall. However, molding such acomplicated interior wall requires a complex manufacturing process.Alternately, the interior wall can be practically straight walled (aslight taper may be required for tooling release) while the exteriorwall has the sectional shapes discussed before, thus simplifying themolding process.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, barrel 14 has a finger grip end 42. Plunger12 telescopically fits into the finger grip end 42 of barrel 14. Plunger12 has a diameter slightly smaller than the smallest diameter of fingerreceiving region 28 so that plunger 12 telescopically fits throughoutthe interior of barrel 14. Preferably, in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, plunger 12 has a diameter about 4 mm to about 18 mm. Morepreferably, plunger 12 has a diameter about 5 mm to about 9 mm with themost preferred diameter being about 7 mm.

Plunger 12 has a first flare 32 at its distal end and a second flare orretaining structure 48 at its opposite barrel end 52. Finger gripsection 16 has a plunger receiving end 30. Plunger receiving end 30 offinger grip section 16 has a chamfer 44 to receive first flare 32 ofplunger 12 during pledget expulsion. This permits shortening the lengthof the section of plunger 12 that protrudes from barrel 14 since all ofthe protruded length is available for the telescopic action. This inturns results in a more ergonomic applicator. Such an ergonomicapplicator is conducive to one handed use, since the distance betweenfinger grip section 16 and first flare 32, where the fingertip isplaced, is reduced by an amount equal to the length of first flare 32.Second flare or retaining feature 48 on barrel end 52 of plunger 12prevents separation from barrel 14.

First flare 32 has a maximum diameter about 6 mm to about 22 mm.Preferably the maximum diameter is about 12 mm to about 16 mm, withabout 13 mm being the most preferred maximum diameter, in order toprovide a secure area for a user's fingertip during pledget expulsion.The rearward end of first flare 32 may be flat, concave, or convex.Preferably, it is concave to provide a secure area for the fingertip.

Second flare 48 has a maximum diameter about 5 mm to about 20 mm.Preferably the maximum diameter is about 11 mm to about 14 mm, withabout 13 mm being the most preferred maximum diameter, in order toprevent separation from barrel 14.

Although it might be implied that the cross-sectional shape of plunger12 and barrel 14 is circular, due to the use of the term ‘diameter’, itshould be understood that the cross-sectional shape can be non-circular,such as oval or polygonal. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape canvary along the length of both plunger 12 and barrel 14. For example, acircular plunger with a polygonal finger grip and an oval main body maybe formed.

The pledget housed by applicator barrel 14 preferably has a taperedforward end that corresponds to that of insertion tip 22. The matchingtaper supports petals 40 during insertion of applicator 10 so that thepetals cannot flex out of shape, thus enhancing comfort. Additionally,during expulsion from applicator 10, the pledget's tapered tip willgradually part the vaginal channel, further enhancing user comfort.

Suitable materials for forming plunger 12 and/or barrel 14 include, forexample, biopolymer, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry,plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or anycombinations thereof.

To reduce friction and/or increase strength, plunger 12 and/or barrel 14may be coated with a coating material. Suitable coating materialsinclude, for example, cellophane, cellulose, epoxy, lacquer,nitrocellulose, nylon, plastic, polyester, polylactide, polyolefin,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, wax, or anycombinations thereof.

The foregoing specification and drawings are merely illustrative of thepresent invention and are not intended to limit the invention to thedisclosed embodiments. Variations and changes, which are obvious to oneskilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope and nature ofthe present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tampon applicator barrel comprising: a mainbody section having a forward end and a rearward end; an insertion tipsection that extends from said forward end; a reverse taper sectionhaving a first end and a second end, the first end being joined to saidrearward end of said main body section so that said main body section isbetween said insertion tip section and said reverse taper section, saidmain body section tapering from said reverse taper section in adirection toward said insertion tip section, said reverse taper sectiontapering in a direction away from said insertion tip section; and afinger grip section that extends from the second end of said reversetaper section to a plunger receiving end of the barrel opposite saidforward end, the barrel being straight from said forward end to saidplunger receiving end that receives a plunger.
 2. The tampon applicatorbarrel of claim 1, wherein said main body section has a length from saidforward end to said rearward end that is greater than a length of saidreverse taper section.
 3. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 1,wherein said finger grip section is concave from said reverse tapersection to said plunger receiving end.
 4. The tampon applicator barrelof claim 1, wherein said main body section has a length from saidforward end to said rearward end that is greater than a length of saidinsertion tip section.
 5. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 1,wherein said main body section tapers in a linear fashion to saidreverse taper section.
 6. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 1,wherein said main body section tapers in a curvilinear fashion to saidreverse taper section.
 7. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 1,wherein said reverse taper section has a taper that is linear.
 8. Thetampon applicator barrel of claim 1, wherein said reverse taper sectionhas a taper that is curvilinear.
 9. The tampon applicator barrel ofclaim 1, wherein said reverse taper section tapers toward a forward edgeridge of said finger grip section where a diameter of said reverse tapersection is less than a diameter of said forward edge ridge.
 10. A tamponapplicator barrel comprising: a main body section; and a reverse tapersection that is joined to said main body section, said main body sectiontapering from said reverse taper section in a direction away form saidreverse taper section, said reverse taper section tapering in adirection away from said main body section, and said main body sectiontapering at a constant rate.
 11. The tampon applicator barrel of claim10, wherein said main body section has a length that is greater than alength of said reverse taper section.
 12. The tampon applicator barrelof claim 10, wherein said reverse taper section has a taper that islinear.
 13. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 10, wherein saidreverse taper section has a taper that is curvilinear.
 14. A tamponapplicator barrel comprising: a main body section; and a reverse tapersection that is joined to said main body section, said main body sectiontapering in a linear fashion from said reverse taper section in adirection away from said reverse taper section, and said reverse tapersection tapering in a direction away from said main body section. 15.The tampon applicator barrel of claim 14, wherein said main body sectionhas a length that is greater than a length of said reverse tapersection.
 16. The tampon applicator barrel of claim 14, wherein saidreverse taper section has a taper that is linear.
 17. The tamponapplicator barrel of claim 14, wherein said reverse taper section has ataper that is curvilinear.